The Traditional Hallmark
The Full Traditional Hallmark comprises five marks:
- Sponsor's mark
- Traditional fineness mark
- Millesimal fineness mark
- Assay Office mark
- Date letter mark
Sponsor's Mark (also know as Maker's Mark)
This is the registered mark of the company or person that submitted the article for hallmarking. It is formed of initials of that person or company inside a shield shape. The shield shape varies, and a minimum of two initials must be included. Every one is unique.
Millesimal Finess Mark
This mark tells you how fine, or what quality, the metal is, as well as indicating the metal type. This numerical format was introduced in 1999 and shows the precious metal content of the article, expressed in parts per thousand. The mark tells you that the lowest standard of alloy content, so it guarantees that the quality of the article is no less than the fineness indicated.
The shape of the surrounding shield indicates metal type. In the Silver Fineness mark 925 is Sterling and 958 is Britannia Silver.
The shape of the surrounding shield indicates metal type. In the Silver Fineness mark 925 is Sterling and 958 is Britannia Silver.
Dealer's Hallmark Notice
The inclusion of the date letter in the hallmark started in 1478 (the same year the Assay Office was founded).
It is now a non-compulsory element of the hallmark, but we apply it as standard. The date letter changes annually on January 1st. The font, case, and shield shape all change so each can only indicate one specific year. All date punches are destroyed at the end of the year.
It is now a non-compulsory element of the hallmark, but we apply it as standard. The date letter changes annually on January 1st. The font, case, and shield shape all change so each can only indicate one specific year. All date punches are destroyed at the end of the year.
